BABY SPAR PROTEAS AND TWO OTHER COUNTRIES SECURE PLACE AT THE YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
The final day of the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Africa Regional Qualifiers started off with a match between Namibia taking on Kenya for 5th/6th playoff. Namibia came into Saturday’s match with two wins while Kenya had one. The last time these two nations met in this tournament on Thursday, they played to a stalemate (43 -all). At the end of the sixty minutes, it was Kenya that won 50 -42 to secure fifth place position.
The second match which was 3rd/4th playoff was between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The winner of this match would also secure a spot in Gibraltar next year. Both teams came into this match with equal number of wins, loss and points and they were only separated by goal difference.
The two teams understood the task ahead of them and what was at stake. Both teams went off at each from the first whistle and towards the end of the match, it looked highly possible that the match would go into extra time because for the better part of the last quarter the teams were tied, however it was Zambia that peeled off in the last seconds to clinch third place winning 43 -41 after an hour play.
Hosts, South Africa took on Malawi in the final match of the tournament with Malawi recording five wins in six matches and Baby SPAR Proteas yet to lose a match – this has the makings of a thrilling match.
The last time these two nations met in the week, it was Baby SPAR Proteas who walked away as victors – Malawi would want to revenge and even the score while South Africa would like to end the tournament unblemished.
The match was quite a physical one from the Malawian team who used their height and physique advantage against the Baby SPAR Proteas – this did not deter South Africa who also enjoyed support of the home crowds.
At the end of the first quarter, Baby SPAR Proteas enjoyed a seven-point lead winning the match 12 – 5 however Malawi made a return in the second quarter of the match, and they were able to take the quarter 9 -8 and ending the first half with an overall score of 20 – 14 to Baby SPAR Proteas.
The championship was going to the one that separates the two teams – with every second ticking off the clock, the Baby SPAR Proteas began to dig deep in search of the drive to win the quarter, with discipline and precision they turned the corner and clinched it 12 -5 ending the quarter 32 -19.
Just as the last quarter started, Baby SPAR Proteas enjoyed a numerical advantage after Malawi’s goalkeeper Shabel Bengo got herself sent off after a dangerous on Renezia Andrews. South Africa used their numerical advantage wisely as they piled the goals and made sure that they win the match 45 – 26. South Africa finished first without losing a single match.
Overall Winners:
Disciplined Team – Zambia
Promising Player – Harriet Muchuma
Best Shooter – Thandazile Ndlovu
Best Mid Court – Phophi Nematangari
Best Defender – Sanmarie Visser
Player of the Tournament – Karla Victor
